A Very Fragrant Body

Upon arrival, Rad could see Aima running to the back to call for help, leaving Bree sprawled on the floor.

Rad approached, standing for a moment beside Bree's body. He fixed his gaze on the cloak-covered, wet back.

He pondered what to do. The right thing, according to Rad, would be to leave Bree there, as he should. He shouldn't care, need to, or be allowed to.

This woman was only there to facilitate his tasks; Rad shouldn't care. What he did by replacing Edmond with a sword was unusual. And Rad was surprised once again at how serious he was when doing it.

Initially, Rad just wanted to see Bree give up due to the intense training and maybe taunt her in front of her stubborn face. The unexpected reality, however, shocked Rad.

This girl persisted and remained determined to fulfill her intentions. Rad saw how her hands trembled from exhaustion on their first day of training, but she kept moving until she could barely move. Bree's hands were thin and small, with no hope of wielding a real sword. However, seeing her determination, Rad was somewhat convinced that one day Bree might be able to handle a sword.

Just like when she intended to ride a horse. For a beginner, her skill was impressive, achieved through exchanging hard work that made her body rebel. Bree's intentions were genuinely strong. This unique determination was something Rad had never seen in any other girl—Blanche, for example.

Rad wanted to turn and leave, to be indifferent, as planned. However, like his feet earlier, Rad's body seemed to have a will of its own. Rad bent down, turned Bree's body, and lifted her.

"What are you doing?"

Rad asked in his own surprise, as this should not be done. Bree was just a tool, not to be noticed.

***

It was just a matter of habit. Rad walked up the stairs, carrying Bree's body to his room, not Bree's room.

Rad didn't think about anything when doing it. He just wanted to take Bree's body to a comfortable place, and his room was comfortable. That was his only thought.

Rad entered and laid Bree's body on the bed. The sleeves of his coat became slightly damp from carrying Bree, but Rad was more concerned about touching Bree's forehead. Bree's body was too hot. The cause of Bree's fainting was easily found.

Rad then walked out of the room, and his ears caught Aima's panicked voice from outside. Of course, Aima would panic because Bree suddenly disappeared.

Rad stood next to the dividing fence and called down, "Aima!"

Aima's footsteps were heard running, and she appeared with a tear-stained face.

"She's with me," Rad said.

And Aima exclaimed in relief while wiping her chest. The panicked cries turned into cries of relief. Earlier, she had imagined being fired if she lost Bree, who was now unconscious.

"Tell someone to call a doctor," Rad ordered, then stepped back into the room.

Aima spoke to the servant she had called earlier to carry out Rad's command, then she went upstairs to follow Rad.

"Her clothes are wet," Rad said as Aima entered the room.

"I'll take care of it, Your Grace." Aima, who had felt she made a mistake, quickly approached Bree and started working.

"What happened? Why is she lying on the floor?" Rad asked, watching Aima work.

"May Lady was practicing riding at the beach, and then it started raining before she returned," Aima explained, while her hands worked on undoing the buttons of Bree's coat.

"She was still training when I left?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Just riding a horse?"

"No. She also practices with a sword in the morning. Riding only in the afternoon."

"What does she want to achieve?"

It was a mumble of a question to himself, but Aima answered it.

"Duchess only said she wants to master all of it because she wants to be stronger."

Aima's answer did not help Rad understand more. What did Bree want to become stronger for? Bree shouldn't be in need of the desire to be strong.

"She even gave up her painting hobby to achieve it. Duchess only cares about swords and horses now." Aima continued.

Rad's brow furrowed. These two activities were so contrasting and couldn't change so suddenly without a significant event.

Rad doubted Bree's honesty about the reason for her fear of the robbers. The robbery was a significant event, but when it happened, Bree didn't seem scared. Her eyes looked puzzled, not afraid.

Rad vividly remembered the gaze of fear and was willing to bet that Bree wasn't afraid that day. It was surprising enough for Rad. How could she be so calm while witnessing a murder?

It was not the attitude of a lady that Rad saw when they got married. During the wedding, Rad only saw a normal girl acting shy. What made her change so drastically during the journey?

Rad wouldn't forget how Bree brandished a knife at him and bravely fought against Irene. Even when Bree fought Edmond, Rad also considered it unique. The girl who became his wife was truly odd.

"Ah!"

Bree groaned, and Aima was startled, releasing her body. But Bree only groaned casually, her eyes still closed, while her head shook restlessly. Delirium is due to a high fever.

Since earlier, Aima's work hadn't progressed much, and she hadn't even managed to open the travel coat Bree was wearing.

Aima found difficulty lifting Bree's completely unconscious body. Aima's body was not much different in size from Bree's, and she had to be careful not to cause harm.

Rad could see the struggle. "I'll do it; you open her clothes."

Rad took off the damp coat he was wearing, then followed by climbing onto the bed, lifting Bree's body effortlessly.

Rad held Bree's back to sit up, and the limp body automatically leaned against him with the head hanging on his shoulder.

Rad's jaw tightened as he felt the warm breath from Bree's neck on his throat, and he immediately held his breath as Aima unbuttoned Bree's dress behind the coat.

With Rad's assistance, Aima could move quickly, and now her hands had lowered the dress. Revealing Bree's moist and fragrant shoulder.

Rad had to hold on to his breath because of this.

The pure and fragrant aroma of Bree's body was not mixed with any perfume like usual; Aima's scent hadn't even attached. There was definitely no Edmond's scent that annoyed him. Edmond didn't have a bad smell, but Rad didn't like it when he found that scent on Bree. A male's scent is not pleasant for his nose.

Now that the rain had washed her body, the aroma piercing his nose was pure Bree.

Rad stroked Bree's shoulder, the source of this aroma. Warm due to the fever, as if making Bree's scent stronger. The scent of Bree couldn't be compared to anything. No flowers, no grass, or anything else. And certainly not like all the women he had been with, and that meant a lot.

This aroma was deeper, tickling his nose, but soft and cool, like the misty morning air of autumn, full of dew. It almost felt like water on Rad's tongue.

"Out!" Rad shouted hoarsely at Aima, even though her job wasn't done yet.

Aima was startled and was momentarily confused. She hadn't even opened the trousers that Bree wore while riding.

But when she saw Rad burying his face in Bree's neck while his hands tightly hugged Bree's exposed back, Aima blushed and quickly left the room. Aima momentarily forgot that they were husband and wife. Rad's request was very reasonable.

Rad caressed Bree's back and undid the remaining piece of cloth on Bree's body.

Rad took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of Bree's body from her neck. And indeed, the aroma was too sweet to ignore.

Slowly, Rad laid Bree's body down.